Deadline nears for arts camp signup

Time is running out to sign up for this year’s summer arts camp hosted by the Effingham Council for the Arts.

“The whole thing is going to be about nature and applying different techniques to natural inspiration,” said Marsha Lott, camp organizer, president of the Arts Council and art teacher at Ebenezer Middle School.

Unfortunately, the camp will not include adult classes as advertised, but children’s classes, for ages 7-15, will be $125 per child for the week. Tuitions go to pay Effingham art teachers working with the children and for the supplies for the different projects.

Children participating in the camp can expect to be exposed to more advanced projects and techniques that they would not experience in school, as well as one on one time with the teachers.

“Those kids who are art-oriented, they need more structure; and they need more introduction to things that they wouldn’t normally get; and they need more time,” Lott said. “What they get at the camp, they would put in half a semester of time in art with just one week of doing it from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.”

Five teachers will be covering visual arts with the different age groups, and one will be devoted to theatre, performance art.

Many of the visual art classes will require children to use organic material, such as wool, grass and rocks, to create their artwork.

They will learn about artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Andy Goldsworthy and Dale Chihuly, among others.

“The main purpose is to give artistic kids more concentrated time and more attention with the art teachers to learn and practice these skills and techniques in art that are not available anywhere else,” Lott said.

At the end of the week, students’ work will be displayed at an art show reception for parents and other campers, and the performance art children will perform the play they’ve learned during the week.

Registration is due in advance and soon, as the camp will run June 13-17 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Ebenezer Middle. For a brochure or application, email artscouncilcamp@hotmail.com or call (912) 414-7178. Applications can be sent via email or by standard mail.